Green to the Extreme

Athletes risk life and limb but not the environment

Morgan Meredith

Calfee Design's bamboo mountain bike frame costs $2,695.

The environment is getting gnarly. Surfing, snowboarding and other adventure sports that take place outdoors are, by their nature, intimately affected by climate change and pollution. Which is why everyone in the industry, from individual skateboarders to big-time gear- and apparel-makers, is trying to go extremely green.

This summer brings the most eco-friendly X Games ever--no small feat for a twice-a-year event that draws 140,000 spectators and uses nearly 1,400 pieces of plywood to make its signature vertical ramp. The action-sports competition, which runs through Aug. 3 and includes in-line skating and bungee jumping, features new powering stations where attendees ride...

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